Brisbane, AAP - Teachers in Queensland, Western Australia and NSW will be questioned on their response to child abuse in a study comparing reporting protocols in the three states.

The Queensland University of Technology will randomly select teachers from government and independent schools and ask them to share their knowledge, practices and opinions on reporting child abuse.

Researcher Dr Kerryann Walsh, from Queensland University of Technology's Faculty of Education said

Teachers were governed by differing legislation in each state. Although teachers were in an unique position to help abused children, they were sometimes unsure of the action they could take.

We want to find out which state offers the optimal model, or which aspects in each state's legislation are the best.

Most teachers have a natural response of wanting to help their students, but may not know how to go about it.

It is a sensitive topic. Situations of abuse can be emotional and difficult.

Dr Walsh, who has spent most of her career as a teacher working with abused and neglected children in Queensland, said teachers had an important role to play to help protect children against all forms of abuse and neglect.

Researcher Dr Kerryann Walsh, from Queensland University of Technology's Faculty of Education said

Their valuable and unique knowledge will potentially help policy changes, law reform and teacher training for the future.

The survey will be conducted during the first semester of the school year.